Will Be Shifted To Domestic Routes, Largely To And From Hawaii

As United Airlines places Dreamliners in service on long-haul international routes, the airline plans to convert 19 of its Boeing 777 airliners to 10-abreast seating in coach, according to USA Today in the Sky.

United confirmed the move, which reflects an industry trend. Boeing says that about half the 777s delivered last year had been ordered with a 3-4-3 seat configuration, which increases capacity to 336 seats in coach, an increase of 20 seats in the economy cabin.

American already flies 777s with 10-abreast seating, according to the report. Internationally, ANA, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Air France, and KLM also already have the 10-abreast seating configuration.

United said that the work will begin this May, and it expects all 19 of its 777-200 aircraft will be retrofitted with the additional seats by May 2017. The airline also has 55 777-200ER airliner's that will remain in international configuration. It has not announced how many seats will be installed in the 777-300ER airplanes that have not yet been delivered.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.united.com